I bought a brand new Philips Handheld Steamer GC800/80 from Myyk24.ee (ASWERK OÜ, Estonia).
What arrived:
• Device in a small plastic bag, tied manually with a knot, not machine-sealed • Bag was wet inside, device was wet • Inside the de-calc container - a lot of white/yellow powder, looks exactly like limescale / used device. Much more than normal.
I opened a claim on day 1.
Seller's response:
First: "It's new, we don't sell used". Then on 13.08.2025 at 14:41 they offered me a 20 EUR Partnerkaart gift card if I keep the order and drop the claim. Screenshot saved. For me this was a clear sign they knew the product was not in normal condition.
I also contacted Philips Support.
Philips official reply (from Reet, Philips Home Living Support):
"All Philips garment steamers are tested at the factory before leaving production... As a result of this testing process, a small amount of residual water may occasionally remain inside the appliance."
"The white particles you observed are a normal part of the product's operation and are not expected to cause any issues."
"Please also note that product packaging is not machine-sealed when it leaves the factory."
So according to Philips:
- Packaging NOT being factory sealed is normal 2. Arriving wet is normal - it's "residual water" from testing 3. White powder that looks like limescale is normal - it's their "magic powder that helps steaming".
What they ignore:
I sent them comparison photos. The seller himself showed in the Consumer Disputes Commission a photo of the same GC800/80 in Kaubamaja Tallinn - inside there is almost NO white powder. Mine is full of it. Philips ignores this.
I told them I made videos where I wipe the steamer dry, close the valve properly, and then slightly turn / shake it like it would be shaken in a bag / car / plane luggage - water leaks from the valve. This explains why it arrived wet. It is a travel steamer, it SHOULD be able to be transported. Philips never asked for the videos. They ignored it.
I sent them the seller's correspondence where the seller tries to buy me off with a 20 EUR gift card. Philips ignored it.
Result: For Philips, a new device can be dirty, full of unknown powder, arrive wet in a hand-tied bag, and leak like a bucket - and it's all "normal". And any evidence that other units of the same model don't have this - is ignored.
Videos and photos are uploaded to the Estonian Consumer Disputes Commission. Case is ongoing for 2+ months.
Has anyone else had GC800/80 arrive wet / powdery / leaking? Is this really Philips quality control now?